Machete-wielding teen enters plea

Thursday

Jun 19, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Karen Botakaren.bota@sentinel-standard.com

A†16-year-old Ronald Township boy pleaded no contest Tuesday in Ionia County 8th Circuit Court Tuesday to two counts against him, stemming from an incident that took place around 2 a.m. Jan. 31.Thatís when he allegedly threatened a neighbor with a machete and shotgun, according to the Ionia County Sheriffís Office. Ionia County Sheriff Dale Miller said a woman on Westbrook Road called 911 to report a prowler and then armed herself with a handgun. The teen, wearing a ski mask and carrying the two weapons, allegedly came to her front door and began hitting the glass with the machete. When deputies arrived, he hid behind a vehicle in the driveway before finally surrendering to officers.The teen, who was 15 at the time, is being charged as an adult in the matter.Under the terms of the plea agreement, two other charges were dismissed in return for the teenís no-contest plea to two felonies: attempted home invasion in the first degree, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison; and assault with a dangerous weapon, also known as felonious assault, which carries a penalty of up to four years and/or a $2,000 fine.Under the terms of a Killebrew agreement, the teen would receive no more than one year in a detention center or other secure facility, and six months of probation on a tether. Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger said she had no objection to treatment being sought for him during incarceration or to an alternative placement, as long as it is in a confined environment. He also must not have contact with the victim or the victimís family, and is required to give a DNA sample.Sentencing is expected in six to eight weeks.Also in Circuit Court Tuesday, James Haney, 62, of Ionia entered a not-guilty plea to three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree. The alleged incidents took place Nov. 11, 2011. Haney is being held on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.Haney waived his preliminary exam in District Court and was bound over to Circuit Court April 29.Haney's attorney, Eric Matwiejczyk, said his clientís criminal history "is basically zero," that he has family in the area and has been attached to the community without any problems. He asked for bond to be lowered."To come up with that (amount) is impossible," Matwiejczyk said. "He is not a danger to the community and his history shows that."Matwiejczyk said he would return to court later this week to present a motion to reduce bond.Follow Karen Bota on Twitter @KarenB_ISS.